Support needs of young people caring for their parents with cancer

Purpose: Family members play an essential role in cancer care, but greater attention is needed on how young people who are providing this care for their parents with cancer can be supported. The aim of this qualitative study was to identify strategies for allied healthcare providers to support young caregivers caring for parents with cancer. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 56 participants, including young caregivers (n = 10), parent survivor (n = 12), and allied healthcare providers (n = 34). Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Findings illuminate that young people are giving care with limited or no training and are not receiving intervention, support, or assistance from allied healthcare providers. Participants recognized that greater support is needed to meet young caregivers’ needs, and the nature of the support needed changes over the course of cancer treatment. Allied healthcare providers could support young people through skills training, social and emotional support, and connecting to community resources. Conclusions: Findings reveal the unique and dynamic needs of young caregivers and underscore the need for healthcare systems to expand their support models to include these young, often invisible, caregivers. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Given the chronic nature of cancer, the number of young caregivers is likely to increase; therefore, allied health professionals need to be better at identifying and supporting them as part of the family-centered cancer care provided.